LAGOS, NIGERIA (VOICE OF NAIJA) – In the quiet but bustling premises of the Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Registry in Ojo, Lagos, voices of determination filled the air as community members, legal practitioners, traditional leaders, students and rights advocates gathered under one roof.
Their mission was simple but urgent – to learn, share, and act against the rising tide of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) that continues to haunt families and communities across the state.
It was another impactful outing by the Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), managers of the Ireti Resource Centre, which held its Community Legal Clinic on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence on October 28, 2025.
The initiative is part of a 24-month project titled “Protecting Women and Girls from Sexual Violence through Changes in Behaviour, Practices and Attitudes of Community Members in 3 Local Government Areas in Lagos State.” Supported by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF), the project spans Alimosho, Ojo, and Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Areas.
A Safe Space For Survivors and Communities
The legal clinic offered more than just information — it created a safe and inclusive platform for survivors, community representatives, and everyday people to access free, confidential, and compassionate legal advice.
Participants received counseling on human rights and SGBV laws, practical safety planning, and emotional support. Beyond that, they gained deeper insights into Nigeria’s key legal frameworks, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP) and the Protection Against Domestic Violence Law (PADVL) of Lagos State.
Speaking at the event, Precious Eberechukwu, the Centre Manager of Ireti Resource Centre, stressed that ending gender-based violence requires not just awareness but a deep cultural shift.
“The Protection Against Domestic Violence Law (PADVL), which came into force on May 18, 2007, was enacted to provide protection against domestic violence and for connected purposes,” she explained.
“This law is made not only to protect our women, who are most times the target of domestic violence, but also to safeguard the interests of men, children, servants, maids, and everyone who may be a victim.”
Eberechukwu walked participants through the 19 sections of the PADVL, highlighting how Section 1 prohibits any act of domestic violence, while Section 18(g) lists various acts that constitute such violence — including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, intimidation, stalking, and deprivation.
Her words were not just legal education, they were a call to community responsibility. “Everyone has a role to play in ending violence. From the home to the market to the mosque or church, silence only empowers the abuser,” she said.
Understanding Consent: “Like F.R.I.E.S.”
In one of the clinic’s most interactive sessions, participants discussed the concept of consent, guided by the acronym F.R.I.E.S. — Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific.
Using relatable examples, Eberechukwu explained that real consent must be enthusiastic and informed, not coerced or assumed.
“Saying yes to one thing doesn’t mean saying yes to everything,” she said. “Consent is a continuous process, and everyone whether young or old must understand that.”
The simple acronym drew nods and smiles from participants, many of whom said they had never heard consent broken down in such practical terms.
From Legal Talk to Community Action
For WRAHP, the clinic is not a one-off outreach. It is part of a larger effort to empower communities through sustained dialogue, access to justice, and collaboration with local influencers.
The project actively engaged artisans, market women, religious leaders, persons with disabilities, and youth groups, ensuring no one is left behind. This inclusive strategy is already producing results.
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In a similar outreach earlier in the year, WRAHP received reports of increased SGBV case reporting in Alimosho and Oshodi/Isolo LGAs — a sign that stigma is slowly giving way to courage.
“People are speaking out more,” Eberechukwu said in an earlier interview. “We’re seeing survivors coming forward because they now know there are systems ready to support them.”
The Law, The People, and The Gaps
One of the resource persons, a legal advocate from the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Cynthia Ibe, used the session to highlight persistent challenges in prosecuting sexual offences.
She noted that while legal frameworks exist, family interference and social stigma remain major barriers to justice.
“When a child is abused, families often settle or hide it for fear of shame,” she lamented. “But these compromises embolden perpetrators and destroy lives.”
On her part, Executive Director of WRAHP, Mrs. Bose Ironsi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining the fight against SGBV and supporting survivors through legal, psychosocial, and economic means.
“At WRAHP, our mission is to promote a safe, informed, and empowered society where the rights of women and girls are protected and upheld,” she said.
“We cannot end sexual violence by working alone — communities, institutions, and government agencies must all join hands.”
She urged community leaders to take ownership of the campaign, saying local collaboration remains the strongest pillar of sustainable change.
About WRAHP and the Ireti Resource Centre
The Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP) is a non-profit organisation committed to promoting the rights and wellbeing of women, young people, and vulnerable groups through advocacy, capacity building, and community engagement.
Its Ireti Resource Centre, based in Lagos, serves as a safe space providing free legal aid, counseling, psychosocial support, and health education for survivors of gender-based violence.
Over the years, the centre has built partnerships with government agencies, traditional institutions, and civil society organisations to create a Lagos where every individual, regardless of gender or background can live free from violence.